Sport

Newport County ditch Rodney Parade ‘dome covers’

NEWPORT County have jettisoned the ‘dome covers’ they hoped could improve the Rodney Parade pitch, but are positive they can overcome the current problems that have decimated their fixture list.

As revealed in Argus sport, the Exiles’ powerbrokers – including manager Justin Edinburgh – met yesterday to discuss the long-running issues that have seen Newport have a home game called off SIX times this season already.

The Argus understands that among the topics under discussion was the prospect of contacting a third party about a contingency, should more games prove unplayable at the ground the Exiles share with Newport RFC and the Dragons, but County wouldn’t disclose that information.

Head of Operations at Rodney Parade, Mark Jones, revealed to the Argus on Tuesday evening that his staff have begun work on remedial drainage, digging trenches on the Bisley Stand side of the ground to connect with a drain inserted near the north end of the ground’s goalmouth, the most damaged area of turf.

County’s chief executive Dave Boddy explained: “We had a very positive meeting and after the disappointment of Tuesday, it’s business as usual with everyone working as hard as possible to sort things out.

“We haven’t kept the covers, they worked as they should, but the feeling is that they aren’t going to help us with the problems we’re encountering.

“Mark and his team have been working on the drainage as you know and we are all hoping that we have a really good opportunity to get next Tuesday’s game on.”

Meanwhile, Dragons’ head coach Darren Edwards has admitted it’s tough for all parties.

“It’s heartbreaking looking at it. I’ve never seen the pitch like this,” he said.

“Rodney Parade is actually one of the best surfaces around for playing rugby and it’s a shame to see it in such a state.”

Meanwhile, County striker Aaron O’Connor has revealed on Twitter that he is running again as he steps up his rehabilitation from a recent hernia operation.

“Day 2 running, upped the anti again (no pain). Rehabilitation work done in the gym along with a few beach weights. Now home for lunch,” he wrote.

Comments (8)

What I don't understand is the club's reluctance to share any information with their customers. If we were a listed company this would cost revenue, but they are relying upon the fans' blind devotion to not turn their back. The communication is absolutely disgusting, and it needs sorting sharpish.

If the club tell us what's going on, the fans will HELP!!!! We have a history of doing just that, but I guess the new suits in charge won't understand the idea of getting something for free when you can pay for it instead.

What I don't understand is the club's reluctance to share any information with their customers. If we were a listed company this would cost revenue, but they are relying upon the fans' blind devotion to not turn their back. The communication is absolutely disgusting, and it needs sorting sharpish.
If the club tell us what's going on, the fans will HELP!!!! We have a history of doing just that, but I guess the new suits in charge won't understand the idea of getting something for free when you can pay for it instead.ncfcr

Quite right ncfcr, how do they think the club managed before they arrived! One wonders about all the expensive medical bills too when the NHS is more than capable of simple operations like hernias and on many occasions ( or when the cost racks up ) you find with private medicine that complications often end up in the NHS's lap!

The suits need to wise up and make a big effort to communicate with fans properly. The website is worse than when it was run by amateurs , just check out some of the player information on there!

Quite right ncfcr, how do they think the club managed before they arrived! One wonders about all the expensive medical bills too when the NHS is more than capable of simple operations like hernias and on many occasions ( or when the cost racks up ) you find with private medicine that complications often end up in the NHS's lap!
The suits need to wise up and make a big effort to communicate with fans properly. The website is worse than when it was run by amateurs , just check out some of the player information on there!lowandhardandinthecorner

You have got to laugh at Mr Boddy, firstly he states that the new County website is a vast improvement when we all know differently, and now that those 'dome' covers "worked as they should". Could it be that both these disaster areas were his idea?

You have got to laugh at Mr Boddy, firstly he states that the new County website is a vast improvement when we all know differently, and now that those 'dome' covers "worked as they should". Could it be that both these disaster areas were his idea?Dafydd y Garreg Wen

I believe that the covers could have worked. But the fact that the rugby posts had not been taken down made it impossible to cover the 6 yard box properly. And this is where the referee failed the pitch. Lying water in the 6 yard box. The posts have now been taken down. Why they weren't after the most rugby match God only knows. They certainly should have been.

I believe that the covers could have worked. But the fact that the rugby posts had not been taken down made it impossible to cover the 6 yard box properly. And this is where the referee failed the pitch. Lying water in the 6 yard box. The posts have now been taken down. Why they weren't after the most rugby match God only knows. They certainly should have been.Frankfurt

Exactly the same for all League clubs.
We have to use, essentially, a template. While it appears a good idea, all clubs having the same looking website, it is horrendous on a few levels. It isn't a slow connection friendly website and basically goes against a number of critical website design 'don'ts'
It is tediously slow, even on a 24MB/s connection. The site is incredibly 'laggy' and unresponsive. Far too cluttered and over complicated. Mind you, we have Microsoft and Windows 8 to thank for this 'tile' effect. But hey-ho as a Oxford fan we've had to put up with it for about 5-6 years, possibly more.

[quote][p][bold]sooty001[/bold] wrote:
Only one word to describe the new website, C**p![/p][/quote]Exactly the same for all League clubs.
We have to use, essentially, a template. While it appears a good idea, all clubs having the same looking website, it is horrendous on a few levels. It isn't a slow connection friendly website and basically goes against a number of critical website design 'don'ts'
It is tediously slow, even on a 24MB/s connection. The site is incredibly 'laggy' and unresponsive. Far too cluttered and over complicated. Mind you, we have Microsoft and Windows 8 to thank for this 'tile' effect. But hey-ho as a Oxford fan we've had to put up with it for about 5-6 years, possibly more.87oufc

Unfortunately it is a case of "goodbye promotion" this year due to these cancellations. It will be impossible to win all 5 outstanding home games since there are bound to be injuries and with a depleted squad, the County will not be able to qualify. Might be a blessing in disguise but the form showed earlier this year does not necessarily mean they will be able to push for promotion next year either. Just look at Wrexham who were favourites before the season started to gain entry to Div 2. Don't think they will make it either.

Unfortunately it is a case of "goodbye promotion" this year due to these cancellations. It will be impossible to win all 5 outstanding home games since there are bound to be injuries and with a depleted squad, the County will not be able to qualify. Might be a blessing in disguise but the form showed earlier this year does not necessarily mean they will be able to push for promotion next year either. Just look at Wrexham who were favourites before the season started to gain entry to Div 2. Don't think they will make it either.alan merton